Title
Sarasvati
Year/Period
ca. 11th century
Region
Central India, Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh
Object Type
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: 111.0 x 56.5 x 21.5 cm
Accession No.
2015-00518
Collection of
This relief sculpture depicts Sarasvati, the goddess of learning, knowledge and music. She is standing and four-armed, holding a manuscript, which identifies her. Although a relief sculpture it is deeply carved and almost three-dimensional. A jina sits at the apex of the stele which associates her with the Jain religion.She is better known as a Hindu goddess and consort of Brahma, but the cult of Sarasvati is very popular in Jainism, where knowledge is the most important means to salvation. Named for the Sarasvati River which, in ancient times, was as important as the Ganges and the Yamuna. Although the Sarasvati receded into a smaller river the goddess continued to play an important role in Indian religion.
